[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 74 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E987-E988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO ANGELINA SOSAYA BIDDLE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 2002

  Mr. TOM UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the memory of 
a delightful New Mexican, Angelina Sosaya Biddle, who recently passed 
away. All those who knew her will forever remember her fondly.
  Angie was known as one of Santa Fe's most wonderful and lively 
characters. Angie was a common sight to many clothing stores and people 
along the Plaza and Acequia Madre Street. She loved to visit with store 
owners and discuss the latest fashions. Angie had worked with clothing 
designer Agnes James and at Suzette's at the La Fonda Hotel. While 
working for Agnes James, Angie designed the Buffalo Hunter shirt and 
the Bustle-Back broomstick skirt. Her sister, Stella Montoya, continues 
to still use the original patterns.
  In her twenties, Angie enjoyed going out with the crew of the movie 
Santa Fe Trail. Her beauty was well known, and she was often used as a 
model by many of Santa Fe artists in the 1930's and 1940's. Angie 
enjoyed regaling her family with stories of when she and her cousin 
Fray Angelico Chavez were young, and would accompany her parents on the 
long drives to Albuquerque. She would tell how she and Fray Angelico 
often found it necessary to get out of the car and help to push it over 
La Bajada Hill.
  Throughout her life Angie remained interested in fashions and kept 
that desire burning in her sisters and nieces. She always let her 
nieces know that they could wear pearls at anytime and with anything, 
and many of them still wear their pearls just that way. Angie had a 
love for anything French and had enjoyed her visits to France. The 
first time she traveled to Europe was with her mother aboard the Queen 
Mary. She was often seen at this French Pastry Shop at the La Fonda 
Hotel, where she loved to indulge in the crepes. She also loved to 
drive her ``French'' cars--her Renault and her beloved Peugeot.
  While her nieces and nephews attended Acequia Madre elementary 
school, Angie would be a common sight, always stopping by to bring them 
treats and small gifts.
  Born in 1910 to Augustin and Victoria Sosaya, she was preceded in 
death by her parents, her sisters, Mary, Consuelo, Delores,

[[Page E988]]

and Florence, her husband Martin Biddle, and her son Michael Biddle. 
She is survived by sisters Anita Nelson, of California, Stella Montoya 
and husband Eloy, Monica Sosaya Halford and husband Richard, of Santa 
Fe, and her brother Augustin Sosaya and wife Priscilla, of California. 
Numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.
  Mr. Speaker, Angie will be missed not only by her family and many 
friends, but by her community as well.

                          ____________________